Whaling Log of the Iris, 1844-1846, Vol. I

Wm. C Haynes Hampton L I [LONG ISLAND]

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Journal of a Whaling Voyage

Wednesday July 17th 1844 Commences with fresh gales from the Ewrd [EASTWARD] attended with rain. Middle part moderating. At 6 AM all hands and the pilot on board we weighed anchor and stood out of the river with a verry [VERY] light breeze from the Westward. Passed through the race tide near Meridian. So ends.

Thursday July 18 Comes in with light breezes from the S & W. At 3 PM the pilot left us and at 3 1/2 PM passed Montauge [MONTAUK] Point. Its bearings WSW dist. [DISTANCE] 12 miles. Saw the barque Washington of Green Port [GREENPORT] standing in by the point. Middle part the same. Steer SE by S with all sail. Latter hours light airs. All hands employed at breaking out and stowing between decks. So ends. Latt [LATITUDE] Obs. [OBSERVATION] 40°=15" N Long [LONGITUDE] by D.R. [DEAD RECKONING] 70°=40" W do [DITTO = LONGITUDE] by Chro [CHRONOMETER] 70 35 W

Friday July 19th This 24 hours we have light airs and calms. Heading the most of the time to the S & E. Saw several whales of various species. Employed at fitting the boats for whaling. Saw several sail[S] of ships & brigs standing W. Latt [LATITUDE] Obs. [OBSERVATION] 39°=55" N Long [LONGITUDE] 70°=00" W

Saturday July 20th Fore part of these 24 hours light airs from the S & W. Steer SE by E. Middle and latter parts freshening. Steer ESE. Hands employed at fitting the boats for whaling. Latt [LATITUDE] Obs. [OBSERVATION] 39°=40" Doubtful Long [LONGITUDE] by Chro [CHRONOMETER] 66°=53 W West Doubtful

Barque Iris for the Western Isles

Remarks

Sunday July 21rst This twenty[-]four hours fresh gales from the SW. Steer ESE with all sail set. Weather pleasant and verry [VERY] warm. Saw one sail standing Westerly. Latt [LATITUDE] Obs [OBSERVATION] 38°=50" N Long [LONGITUDE] by Chro [CHRONOMETER] 63°=08" W

Monday July 22ond Fore and middle parts of these twenty[-]four hours fresh pleasant gales from the Westward. Latter hours light breezes from the Northward. Steer ESE. Hands variously employed. Latt [LATITUDE] by Obs [OBSERVATION] 38° 30" N Long [LONGITUDE] DR. [DEAD RECKONING] 62° 00" W

Tuesday July 23rd Fore and middle part[S] of these twenty[-]four hours light airs and calms. Latter part moderate breezes from the SE. Steer by the wind ENE. Hands variously employed. So ends the day. Latt [LATITUDE] Obs [OBSERVATION] 38 50 N Long [LONGITUDE] DR [DEAD RECKONING] 60°=30"

Wednesday July 24th Comes in with light breezes from Westward. Middle and latter parts wind from the Northw [NORTHWARD]. Steer E by S. Saw and chaced [CHASED] blackfish but could not strike. Hands employed at ships duty. Latt [LATITUDE] by DR [DEAD RECKONING] 38° 50" N Long [LONGITUDE] by Acct [ACCOUNT] 58°=30"

Thursday July 25 Fore and middle part[S] of these 24 hours fresh gales from the Northward. Steer E by S. Latter part wind from the N & E. Steer by the wind SE. Saw blackfish and took one. Latt [LATITUDE] Obs [OBSERVATION] 39°=14" N Long [LONGITUDE] by Chro [CHRONOMETER] 55=50

Friday July 26th Fore and middle part[S] moderate breezes from the N & E. Steer by the wind [TO] the S & E. Latter part wind hauls SSE. Steer by the wind East. Crew variously employed. Var. [VARIATION] 18° W. Latt [LATITUDE] DR [DEAD RECKONING] 38°=54" N Long [LONGITUDE] DR [DEAD RECKONING] 53°=50" West

Barque Iris at Sea

Remarks

Saturday July 27th 1844 Fore part of these 24 hours moderate breezes from the Westward attended with squalls of rain. Steer ESE meeting a heavy swell from the Eastward. Middle part calm. Latter part strong gales from S & W. Carry top sails. Latt [LATITUDE] Obs [OBSERVATION] 38°=00" N Long [LONGITUDE] by Chro [CHRONOMETER] 52°=25"

Sunday July 28th Comes in with strong gales from the SW. Steer E by S under double reefed top sails. The gale freshening. At 6 PM furl[ED] everything but a close reefed main top sail. Raining hard most of the time. At at 12 midnight hove the ship too [TO] under a close reefed main top sail with a tremendous gale of wind and high sea. At 6 [PM CROSSED OUT] 6 AM calm. Set top sails. Wind springing up soon after from the Eastward. At 10 AM the wind increasing to a gale from NE with a heavy swell from SW. Take in sail and heave too [TO] again heading ESE. So ends this long and tedious day. -- Latt [LATITUDE] by Acct [ACCOUNT] 38°=00" N Long [LONGITUDE] by Acct [ACCOUNT] 50°=20" W

Monday July 29th This twenty[-]four hours commences with a heavy gale from the NE attended with rain. Ship hove too [TO] heading S Eward [EASTWARD]. At 9 PM the wind hauling around SW. Make sail and steer E by S. Latter part clear and pleasant with a fresh breeze from SW. Carrying Stud [STUDDING] sails. Latt [LATITUDE] Obs [OBSERVATION] 38°=20" N Long [LONGITUDE] by Chro [CHRONOMETER] 48°=39" W

Tuesday July 30th Comes in with a pleasant whole sail breeze from the S & W. Middle part wind hauls SSE. Steer by the wind East. Latter part the same. Carpenter employed at building potatoe [POTATO] bins. Watches at bending new sails[:] Courses, top sails, top g. [GALLANT] sails & jib. Latt [LATITUDE] Obs [OBSERVATION] 38°=46" N Long [LONGITUDE] by Chro. [CHRONOMETER] 45=41 West